London Fire Brigade to Lead Fire Safety Outreach to High-Rise Residents

Its May 28 announcement of a fire safety forum for them came in response to the inquest on the Lakanal House fire that killed six people in Jul y 2009.

Jun 03, 2013

The London Fire Brigade promised to take the lead in promoting greater understanding of fire safety among high-rise residents in the city, responding to recommendations by a coroner who conducted the inquest into the July 2009 Lakanal House fire, which killed six people.

The department reported May 28 it already has introduced a range of new initiatives, policies, and equipment to improve its planning and response to incidents involving high-rise premises. It also will create a fire safety forum for high-rise residential premises with key private and public sector partners, such as London Councils, London boroughs, housing associations, and care providers.

Another step will be new training for emergency call center operators and staffers.

"Our thoughts since the fire in 2009 have always been with the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives. People living in high-rise buildings are at no greater risk of fire than those living in other types of property, but I particularly welcome the opportunity that the coroner's recommendations have given us to build on the work that we have been doing to clarify fire safety guidance," London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said. "As with every emergency we attend, but particularly large scale incidents such as the one at Lakanal House, lessons have been learned. The London Fire Brigade is an organization that continually strives to improve the services it provides and I also welcome the opportunity that the coroner's recommendations have provided to further enhance how we plan for and respond to emergencies in high rise residential buildings."